Wisconsin Police Search for Escaped Inmate

PARIS, Wis. --

Police are searching for a missing prisoner in Kenosha.

Pedro Nieves, 29, walked away from his work-release job at the Kenosha Beef Plant in the town of Paris Thursday morning.

Nieves had less than a year left on his sentence for battery with a dangerous weapon, child abuse and drug possession.

Al Fonk has spent his entire life working the land on his family's farm in Kenosha County. He's used to dealing with floods and draught, but he never thought he'd have to be worried about an escaped criminal.

"There's plenty of work to do without worrying about someone breaking in or looking for cash or a car to get out of here," Fonk said.

Fonk lives near the Kenosha Beef Plant.

"I didn't think a guy with that type of a background would be left out to work on his own," Fonk said.

According to the Department of Corrections, Nieves is serving a five-year sentence. After four years of good behavior at a maximum-security facility, he was moved to Kenosha Correctional Center in January.

He started his work-release program a few weeks ago. Although, he was mostly unsupervised, investigators said he was doing fine until early Thursday morning. He disappeared seven hours into his shift.

Authorities said Nieves has a new girlfriend who he met at the job site and it's a possibility he wanted to go somewhere with her.

The Department of Corrections said criminals must meet specific goals before they are allowed work release.

They said it's designed to get the men ready to rejoin the community, and authorities said in most cases it works.

But that’s little comfort to neighbors around the beef plant.

"I'll be interested in watching what is going on tonight, making sure the dog is awake that no one is creeping around out here," said Bob Nevens.

Nieves is not the first inmate to escape from his work-release program. WISN 12 News uncovered how many inmates walk away from work-releasae programs each year

Nieves is the fourth inmate from the Kenosha Correctional Center to escape this year.

He had 11 months left on his sentence, but if he's caught he faces another three to five years.

There are 13 state-run male correctional facilities in Wisconsin.

Last year, 25 inmates escaped. Authorities said in most cases the criminals are eventually caught.

The Kenosha Police Department wants anyone who has any information about Nieves or who sees him to call their office.

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